Koolpak Reusable Hot and Cold Pack, 12 x 29 cm

Good price and soft ice pack even when frozen. Easy to use

These koolpaks are a GODSEND for my migraines! I've suffered for years with severe migraines that leave me bed bound and being sick and I've tried every tablet and over the counter products with no avail. Aspirin helps (you can ask your GP for a prescription for 900mg aspirin and an anti sickness combined in a sachet which tastes gross but helps) however I always seem to feel the meds work less and less with each migraine. BUT a wet flannel used to help..but it doesn't stay cold for long enough...ice helped...but it melts quickly and is awkward to rest on your head..then I found koolpaks and they have been a game changer for migraines! I can often feel my migraine coming on and progressively getting worse so as soon as my head hurts I put the koolpak in the freezer, leave for an hour or so until frozen then I use the koolpak sleeve that I bought off here for about £1 and put the pack on my head.I also have a clumsy 6 year old boy who is always bumping and bruising himself so this is very handy to reduce any swelling!I clean mine with a little spray of Milton steriliser and it's ready to use again next time! Amazing product, and a lifetime customer!

I received one with a dark blue outer material that wasn't see through as shown in the picture. I'm assuming they don't make the see through outer ones anymore? I'm not complaining though because I actually think the new material is better, feels nice on the skin and my mum loves it. She uses it when she gets high blood pressure and it cools her down when placed on her forehead. Its cool even when just left in a drawer, and I've placed it in the fridge for a while and it gets too cold for my liking. I haven't tried putting it in the freezer or the microwave, I didn't get it to use as a heat pack anyway but I'm worried that the edges will burn when put in the microwave because the outer material doesn't seem heatproof.

I have these on stand-by permanently in the fridge - they have been a GODSEND for easing debilitating migranes. Just wash with dish soap after use, dry off and stick them back in the fridge - they have literally made some of the worst, blinding, crippling pain more bareable.I've had the same 2 on rotation for about 4 years now and they still 'work' fine, the gel inside is still pilable and holds its DELICIOUS COLD just as it did when I originally purchased.Highly recommended.

I bought this item about a month ago to use as a heat pack for my back problem. I followed the instructions completely (i.e. heating in the micorwave for short intervals at low power to build up to the desired temperature - no quick heating at high power or for long durations, I learnt that lesson some years ago when I had a gel pack split on me and covered the inside of the microwave!). I have bought other such heatpacks before and compared to them, this one does not retain its heat for very long by comparison, nor is it very durable. I have used it reguarly each night over the last few weeks up until a few days ago, when the pack itself started to burn and catch fire! At first I thought I might have mistakenly put the setting on full power but as I checked, this was not the case. Evidently, over time and usage, the gel thins out/moves away from the seams and thus there is nothing to absorb the microwave heat except the plastic layer (even if you try to spread the gel out evenly). As the pack was in its final stage of heating up (remember, short intervals at low power), a hole appeared in the body of the pack nearest the seam (like a cigarette burn) and started to glow red and emit noxious smoke, which stank the whole kitchen out! When I removed the pack from the microwave, the main body was barely luke-warm but the edge where the hole had appeared were too hot to touch. Needles to say, I had to bin the item. In fairness, it could be that I was just unlucky and had received a defective pack but my overall impression was that this pack is not as substantially made as others I have used in the past. It may be fine for use as a cold pack but if you are considering using it as a heat pack, then you might want to consider another item.

This is a nice and cheap ice pack which does the job. I know people are complaining about the instructions saying it should be kept for less than 4 hours in the freezer before use, which would be an issue since injuries aren’t predictable. But it honestly doesn’t matter if you leave it in for longer. I keep mine in the freezer all the time. All that happens is that it becomes a bit stiff before you use it so you can’t wrap it around your arm/leg/etc. very easily. You can just bend it with your hands and after a few minutes it softens up anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. You can buy a Koolpak bag but I just use a towel, which works just as well I imagine. Really pleased with this ice pack.

Ideal for taking it to and from work as it's quite thin and can be folded, also can be kept concealed behind a chair when using on my back. I don't have a freezer in work but found that the fridge did cool it down quite a lot and it could be used for the full 20 minutes sometimes (but not at all times). The freezer would definitely be the best option if one is available. The instructions are very clear on the back regarding how to cool and heat it so no need to get out the instruction booklet as they're simple to remember anyway.I used this on recommendation from my physiotherapist who said I need hot and cold so I get double the use out of this.

This Hot/Cold Gel Pack offers exceptional value for money; I purchased several to aid in the nursing of a family member, whom was extremely ill. In the hot, still, weather, the chilled packs helped to reduce body temperature, when placed on the pulse points around the body; alleviating the uncomfortable symptoms of overheating. As a rough guide, a pack placed under the forearm, covers from the elbow to the wrist area, on a 6ft plus man. The packs are made from durable fabric and of a quality which is not in parity to the cost. With the option for heating, to ease muscular and joint pain, these pads would make a useful addition to the first aid cupboard. I would highly recommend this product.